The Serra do Açor gives Arganil a distinctive landscape: this mountain range, made mostly of shale, forms part of the Central Cordillera and covers large parts of the municipality of Arganil. It is also home to the Paisagem Protegida da Serra do Açor, a 382-hectare protected area in the municipalities of Benfeita and Moura da Serra. The mountains and protected area offer two different perspectives on the landscape: the Serra’s broader setting and a clearly defined natural area.
Experience shale landscapes and nature
The Mata da Margaraça covers 68 hectares and is designated a Biogenetic Reserve. The area is home to numerous native trees and shrubs, as well as mosses, lichens and fungi. The plants found here include oaks, strawberry trees, hazels, cherry trees, honeysuckle, martagon lilies, elms and heather. Those interested in the diversity of a natural area will find not just individual tree species here, but also a wide variety of other plants and organisms.
Another striking natural feature is Fraga da Pena, with its cascade of more than 20 metres. A municipal report dated 12 December 2024 announced that a 60-metre shale pedestrian platform had already been installed to enable people with reduced mobility to access the 20-metre-high cascade. At that time, the accompanying safety work was still under way.
Hiking trails and the night sky
In Benfeita, the Caminho do Xisto de Benfeita starts in the village centre and follows a circular route. This combines a clearly identified starting point with a trail that returns to where it began. Benfeita is also one of the 24 Aldeias do Xisto. For a longer linear route, the GR 51 – Grande Rota do Alva offers a different scale: this 77-kilometre long-distance trail passes through the municipalities of Penacova, Vila Nova de Poiares, Arganil, Tábua and Oliveira do Hospital. The GR 51 is currently listed as temporarily unavailable; check conditions before using it.
The night sky is another possibility: the Dark Sky® Aldeias do Xisto initiative includes the municipality of Arganil and offers conditions for observing stars, the moon and the nocturnal landscape, as well as for astrophotography. This sets daytime hikes and landscape exploration apart from stargazing after dark, without requiring both activities to follow the same schedule.
Village scenes, religious buildings and history
Piódão is classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público (Property of Public Interest). Most of its houses and streets are built from shale and connected by shale stairways. The architectural ensemble is defined by the age, unity and state of preservation of its buildings. Those interested in village scenes can take in the materials, connecting stairways and character of the ensemble together, rather than focusing on just one building.
The religious buildings in Arganil tell different chapters of history: Capela de São Pedro is a regional Gothic religious building dating from the late 13th century and is classified as a National Monument. By contrast, the present building of Igreja Paroquial da Vila de Arganil dates from the late 17th century. Its panelled ceiling features hagiographic paintings by Oliveira Trovão, commissioned in 1762. The historical significance of Pelourinho de Arganil lies in the foral (royal charter) granted by D. Manuel in 1514; the monument commemorates this history.
Those more interested in historical topics than architectural styles will find two distinct areas of focus at Arganil’s institutions: the Núcleo de Etnografia preserves the cultural roots of the Serra do Açor through its thematic sections. The Núcleo de Arqueologia explores prehistoric remains from the Necropolis of Moinhos de Vento, gold mining on the Rio Alva and life in the Roman military camp. The Centro Documental is located in Casa Simões Dias, in Benfeita.
Water, regional cuisine and getting there
The bathing spots differ in their settings: Praia Fluvial da Cascalheira is a river beach at a weir on the Rio Alva. Praia Fluvial de Benfeita lies in the Aldeia do Xisto de Benfeita, at the confluence of Ribeira da Mata and Ribeira do Carcavão. Piscina de Fórnea is situated among the houses of Fórnea village. Weirs and the morphology of the Rio Alva also make leisure activities such as canoeing and some adventure sports possible. The restored Moinho do Figueiral illustrates the traditional use of water power.
Regional food culture includes the Feira das Freguesias – Mostra Gastronómica, held every year in Arganil; dates vary, so it is worth checking the event details. Bucho Recheado is made in Vila Cova de Alva. When looking for accommodation, it helps to first decide whether nature, cultural heritage, water activities or regional themes will shape your stay.
When travelling from the A1 to Centro Cyclin’ Portugal da Serra do Açor, the recommended exit is Coimbra Norte. Then follow the IP3 towards Viseu for about 28 kilometres and switch to the IC6 towards Arganil.
Discover more destinations: Benfeita, Vila Cova de Alva, Góis, Montemor-o-Velho, Cepos, Coimbra, Condeixa-A-Nova, Vila Pouca Da Beira.
Back to the main travel overview: Coimbra.
